OZA REGISTRATION TOPS 300: With 230 registered in New York City and nearly 80 in Las Vegas, pre-registration for the North American Oza has now topped 300, making it the largest free-standing tournament of the American go calendar this year. Registrations are being accepted online -- http://www.usgo.org/oza/oza2006/ -- through 12 noon EST Friday; walk-ins will be accepted from 8AM to 9 AM and must pay a $10 late fee. Registration will close at 9A sharp (pre-registered players MUST sign in by 9:15A); anyone arriving after that will be paired in a later round at the TD's discretion.

BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS: 2005 Masters champion Jie Li 9d and 2005 U.S. Congress champion Xuefen Lin 1P will challenge defending Oza West titleholder Mingjiu Jiang 9P in Las Vegas, while Huiren Yang 1P faces Oza East titleholder Feng Yun 9P in New York City. This year's East and West winners will represent the U.S. at the World Toyota/Denso Oza Championship, which is held in Japan once every two years, with 32 players vying for a top prize of $300,000 and a new Lexus. The field includes top professionals and players selected in regional tournaments around the world, including the North American Toyota/Denso Oza Championship

MUSIC, HIKARU, FOOD & MORE AT OZA RECEPTIONS: Registered Oza players will enjoy the first North American showing of Hikaru No Go in English, plus the music of Daisuke Abe and hors d'oeuvres atop the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City Friday night, while Las Vegas Oza players will be eating and socializing in The Fiesta Henderson, which features an exotic swimming pool in a tropical location, more than 1000 slot machines, 26 game tables and an exciting collection of theme restaurants. Festivities begin at 6P in New York and 7P in Las Vegas. Registered players only at both locations, but you may register at the door and avoid the $10 late penalty Saturday.

NYC OZA TO BROADCAST LIVE ON IGS: E-Journal coverage of the Oza will include live broadcast of Board 1 at the New York City Oza beginning with Round 1 at 9:30A Saturday morning. Look for updated news, photos and game records throughout the weekend at www.usgo.org

QUESTIONS FROM ACTUAL PLAY: In our latest installment of Haruyama Isamu 9P's new series, he takes a look at how to take advantage of some unusual moves by White in a handicap game.

Published by the American Go Association

Managing Editor: Chris GarlockAssistant Editor: Bill Cobb

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